Chris' 75 gallon Reef Tank Build Thread

Hey Everybody since this is my first post let me introduce myself and explain my background.

My name is Chris I first got into the reef tank hobby back in 2006 with a 30 gallon tank. Once I started growing sps coral I was hooked! unfortunately I was still living at my parents house and my tank leaked through the ceiling.... long story short I had to Get rid of my tank.
Since then I have moved out and am in my Senior year of college studying Civil Engineering. After studying hydraulics, environmental engineering, structural engineering etc. I was itching to get back into the hobby so I decided to give the reef tank hobby another shot. The following is a build thread I should have started a few weeks ago but I am just now getting around to it.

Equipment
2 x 250 watt Hamilton SE Metal Halide 20k
2 x Galaxy electronic adjustable ballasts
Reef Optix 2 Reflectors
Oceanic 75 Gallon reef ready tank with master flow overflow kit
75 lbs BRS reef saver rock
30 lbs sugar sized sand
custom build stand using 3/4" birch plywood
eshopps rs-100 sump
ecoplus 1056 return pump
Reef octopus NWB-150 Protein skimmer
Two little fishies phosban reactor 150

The lights are mounted on a temporary bracket I made, still deciding if I want to build a matching canopy or not.

Just put in a pair of Picasso clowns today ,the LFS was out of regular clowns so I couldn't pass up on the deal he gave me on the Picasso's.















Thanks for looking any suggestions or constructive criticism would be appreciated!

-Chris

 

Very nice congrats and welcome to 3reef

 

Welcome to 3reef Chris.

You can see your engineering skills in the detail of the sump, sand and scape.

Excellent start and congrats on getting back into the hobby.